Airfield noise is a lesser evil than A40

YOUR correspondent Anna Williams (‘Call to challenge commercial flights’, Gazette letters, Nov 4) is incorrect about the 12,000 flights of commercial jets at RAF Northolt.

The airport has two licences one from the Military Aviation Authority, the other from the Civil Aviation Authority so Northolt RAF station is quite safe for aircraft take-off and landing.

This was also stated at a judicial review in January. It was said that planes are flying safely and within the regulations.

Regarding commercial flights, there are no plans to increase the cap which is 12,000 movements. In fact there are fewer than 10,000 movements ie less than 5,000 each of take-off and landing.

Commercial flights are also very restricted at weekends with no flights after 8pm. Any flights at night are on humanitarian grounds. Two Ebola patients have been transported since April and the airport had to remain open all night.

The commercial aircraft are very quiet. There are two four engine RAF aircraft which are noisy.

The London Air Ambulance Service currently has two helicopters based at the station.

I understand that Miss Williams has had a few conversations with Squadron Leader Tenniswood but he has failed to convince her.

Regarding the subject of noise pollution. If you live near any airfield you are going to be exposed to a certain amount of noise.

Residents who have had letters printed in the past do not mention the horrendous noise from the A40.

Not so long ago we could sit in our gardens on a pleasant summer’s day but now the noise from the road is a constant 24/7. Intermittent noise from aircraft take-off and landing (5 minutes per hour on average) is